Flag or unflag an Outlook email for follow-up. Specify the message ID and optional status: flagged, complete, or notFlagged.
Flag or unflag an email for follow-up
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| messageId | Yes | The ID of the email to flag | |
| flagStatus | No | The flag status to set | flagged |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v2.0.0Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided, and description only says 'flag or unflag', lacking details on side effects, reversibility, or concurrency. Acceptable for a simple toggle but lacks depth.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Single sentence, no fluff. Front-loaded with action and resource.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple flag action with good schema coverage, the description is sufficient. Could mention default flagStatus behavior.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema covers both parameters with descriptions; description adds no extra meaning. Baseline 3 due to high schema coverage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Clearly states the action (flag/unflag) and resource (email for follow-up), distinguishing it from siblings like mark_as_read or categorize_email.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Implies usage for toggling flag status, but provides no explicit guidance on when to use vs alternatives like categorize_email or mark_as_read, nor any prerequisites.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.